Dialogue can start once govt takes clear steps for quota reform: protesters

The door to discussions is open alongside the ongoing movement, the quota protesters say

Students and jobseekers protesting against the quota system in government job recruitment block the key streets of Dhaka on Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi

The ‘Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’ – a platform of students taking part in the protests against the quotas in government jobs – says they seek visible steps from the government on quota reforms.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the protesters said that clear government steps on the matter could carve a path to a solution to the crisis.

“A step taken by the government could pave the way to a solution. The door to discussions is also open alongside our movement,” said Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the platform, at a press conference at 2:45am on Thursday.

The protesters demanded quota reforms be instituted by passing a law in parliament. They also demanded justice against the Chhatra League activists and on-duty police officers involved in the killings and violence across the country.

“The government itself created the situation by carrying out attacks on a peaceful movement," the statement read.

Police, the Bangladesh Border Guard and the Chhatra League are trying to curb the 'reasonable and just movement' for quota reform by carrying out combined attacks, it said.

“The government did not take any visible action although the student movement was spontaneous and peaceful. The government tried to avoid liability and toyed with students by making delays. Under the direction of the government, efforts are underway to violently suppress the movement by the law enforcement agencies and pro-Awami League factions."

A total of seven people died and more than 1,000 students were injured across the country as of now, the statement read.

After clashes between quota reform protesters, police and pro-Awami League factions over the past two days, the protesters declared a 'complete shutdown' programme on Thursday.

The programme has led to a public transport crisis in the capital since the morning, causing severe difficulties for working-class people.

Traffic on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway has been halted due to blockades at Shanir Akhra and Matuail Road. Reports of clashes between protesters and police have come in from BRAC University and other areas.